Course: Introduction to Prototyping and Fabrication, fall 2015
In an assignment for Introduction to Prototyping and Fabrication, part of the Jacobs Design Innovation Suite of entry-level design courses, students designed and built bluetooth-controlled vehicles.
The project grew in complexity over a number of phases: In Phase I, students created a mechanical prototype of a vehicle that could steer. In Phase II, students added motors that could be controlled via wires. In Phase III, the wires were replaced with a simple radio. In Phase IV, the simple radio was replaced with a Bluetooth module, allowing control from cellphones. As the electronic parts of this project advanced, so did the design and fabrication aspect. Earlier models were made from cardboard, progressing through foam board and laser-cut plywood, while final versions incorporated a designed body. Students used laser-cutters and 3D printers in designing and fabricating their vehicles.
To see the full range of vehicles students produced, check out the assignment on Hackster.